📖 Overview
Hafsah Faizal is a New York Times bestselling author known for her young adult fantasy novels, particularly the Sands of Arawiya duology. Born in Florida and of Sri Lankan and Arab descent, she began her career as a web designer before transitioning to writing.
Her debut novel "We Hunt the Flame" was published in 2019, followed by its sequel "We Free the Stars" in 2021. The series draws inspiration from ancient Arabia and follows the story of a female hunter who disguises herself as a man to support her village.
Faizal is also the founder of IceyDesigns, a website design company specializing in services for authors and publishers. Her work in both literature and design has established her presence in the publishing industry, particularly in the young adult fantasy genre.
Her writing often incorporates themes of identity, power, and cultural heritage, with strong female protagonists at the center of her narratives. In 2023, she published "A Tempest of Tea," marking her entry into young adult fantasy with vampiric elements.
👀 Reviews
Readers connect strongly with Faizal's character development and atmospheric worldbuilding in her Sands of Arawiya series. Many reviews highlight her detailed Arabic-inspired setting and rich cultural elements.
What readers liked:
- Lyrical, descriptive writing style
- Complex relationships between characters
- Authentic representation of Arab culture
- Strong female protagonists
- Immersive fantasy elements and magic system
What readers disliked:
- Pacing issues, particularly in first half of "We Hunt the Flame"
- Some found the romance predictable
- Dense prose can be challenging to follow
- Multiple POV shifts caused confusion for some readers
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads:
- "We Hunt the Flame": 3.8/5 (78,000+ ratings)
- "We Free the Stars": 4.0/5 (25,000+ ratings)
- "A Tempest of Tea": 4.1/5 (2,000+ ratings)
Amazon averages 4.5/5 across all titles, with readers frequently praising the cultural authenticity and character dynamics, while noting the books require patience through slower sections.
📚 Books by Hafsah Faizal
We Hunt the Flame (2019)
First book in the Sands of Arawiya duology follows Zafira, a female hunter who disguises herself as a man in an ancient Arabia-inspired fantasy world as she embarks on a dangerous quest to restore magic to her kingdom.
We Free the Stars (2021) Second book in the Sands of Arawiya duology continues the story of Zafira and Nasir as they face the consequences of their choices and fight to save their kingdom from dark forces.
A Tempest of Tea (2023) Set in a dark fantasy version of London, this novel follows a vampire gang leader who must pull off an impossible heist to save her teahouse, which serves as a front for a blood den that feeds her people.
We Free the Stars (2021) Second book in the Sands of Arawiya duology continues the story of Zafira and Nasir as they face the consequences of their choices and fight to save their kingdom from dark forces.
A Tempest of Tea (2023) Set in a dark fantasy version of London, this novel follows a vampire gang leader who must pull off an impossible heist to save her teahouse, which serves as a front for a blood den that feeds her people.
👥 Similar authors
Sabaa Tahir writes fantasy novels centered on desert empires and rebellion, with protagonists navigating complex political systems while discovering their power. Her "An Ember in the Ashes" series features similar themes of disguise, survival, and cultural heritage as Faizal's work.
Roshani Chokshi creates fantasy worlds based on mythology and follows characters discovering their divine heritage while navigating dangerous quests. Her "The Gilded Wolves" series combines heists with historical fantasy elements and features ensemble casts similar to Faizal's later work.
Renée Ahdieh builds fantasy narratives drawing from Middle Eastern and East Asian influences, focusing on female protagonists who challenge societal expectations. Her "The Wrath and the Dawn" series shares similar desert settings and themes of sacrifice with Faizal's work.
Tasha Suri crafts fantasy stories based on South Asian history and mythology, featuring magic users who must navigate political intrigue. Her "Empire of Sand" series explores themes of identity and power that parallel Faizal's work.
S.A. Chakraborty creates fantasy worlds based on Middle Eastern mythology and follows characters discovering magical abilities while facing political conflicts. Her "Daevabad Trilogy" features similar elements of ancient magic and cultural complexity found in Faizal's writing.
Roshani Chokshi creates fantasy worlds based on mythology and follows characters discovering their divine heritage while navigating dangerous quests. Her "The Gilded Wolves" series combines heists with historical fantasy elements and features ensemble casts similar to Faizal's later work.
Renée Ahdieh builds fantasy narratives drawing from Middle Eastern and East Asian influences, focusing on female protagonists who challenge societal expectations. Her "The Wrath and the Dawn" series shares similar desert settings and themes of sacrifice with Faizal's work.
Tasha Suri crafts fantasy stories based on South Asian history and mythology, featuring magic users who must navigate political intrigue. Her "Empire of Sand" series explores themes of identity and power that parallel Faizal's work.
S.A. Chakraborty creates fantasy worlds based on Middle Eastern mythology and follows characters discovering magical abilities while facing political conflicts. Her "Daevabad Trilogy" features similar elements of ancient magic and cultural complexity found in Faizal's writing.